What did you do for your birthday?

Same thing we always do .... Ate at my favorite Ethiopian restaurant!!! My pictures this year look almost identical to last years pictures. Husband, kids and injera. LOVE IT.

The Saint (Let's Keep This Real)

You know it ain't all rosey. There are things that keep you humble and make you scratch your head and say, "Why?". I received a note from Sawyer's teacher today stating

"Sawyer had a rough day yesterday, he took his shoes and socks off and continuously told us no, turned the lights off and would laugh."

Turner Talk

This morning:

Turner: Mommy, guys driving me bonkers
Mom: The guys are driving you bonkers?
Turner: Yes
Mom: What should we do?
Turner: Put them in jail.
Mom: How long should we leave them in jail.
Turner: 5 weeks

Any morning:

Mommy: Turner how long has it been since you went potty?
Turner: Oh.....about a year.

Exactly what I'd say if I had a way with words....

http://www.xavier.edu/familyresiliency/paul-daugherty-keynote.cfm

DITTO!!!!!

Saw-Man

Gene Simmons????

So, I was not sure about Sawyer and school this year. With the negative vibes we were getting from potential teachers and the run around we got from the school system, I was just not sure I wanted to send Sawyer to school. Then yesterday, I got a call from the school telling me Sawyer had been bit by a fellow student. Apparently, he was quite traumatized by the whole event. (Sadly, this is not his first biting incident but the first for this school) What perfect timing, I had already planned on going to the school for the Meet and Greet they had scheduled.

I got there and everyone was concerned about Sawyer. Was he okay. I am so sorry that happened. The other child should not have done that. Blah blah blah. I felt better that this was an accident and they were not going to let it happen again. (Let's hope)

Then they started going on about how wonderful and cute Sawyer is. How much they love having him. How capable he is. They were gushing. Gushing, I tell you. And the whole bathroom issue that was the deal breaker with the other teacher, was a non-issue with this teacher. They've built him a step to help him get up to the toilet and he can do everything by himself. In fact, the teacher was flabbergasted that it was even an issue with the first teacher. (Yeah...welcome to my world)

So as Ansley would say it: "I KNEW IT. I KNEW IT" I knew if anyone would give him a chance, he'd win them over. He is just that kind of kid. The kind you fall in love with. You just can't help it. (Not that you would want to but still) I just wish this was the last of that kind of battle we will have to fight.

Alas, I fear it is just the beginning. I fear he will be proving himself over and over. Found out they keep moving the Special Ed programs around from school to school. This is the 3rd school he has been in since he started public school. Next year, it is likely he'll have to go to another school and prove himself once more. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.

I think at this point in time, he's where he needs to be. I'm good with that.

Thank you Al Gore!!!

If you had not 'invented' the internet, we would not have this!!!

Is this cool or what? Yes, the language barrier is there but not bad. We manage to communicate. His English is quite good. He has been studying English since 1st grade. Look at that smile....

Hoops for Hope

Check this out all you UT fans and/or Down Syndrome fans:

http://hoopsforhopetn.org/

SKYPE

Fun stuff. We spoke with Tamirat and some of his friends today. What fun we had. Can't wait to do it again. Next time I'll try to get a picture of his HUGE Smile and all the other guys. Love 'em!

Prep Work

Judson is going to plant a mini-garden as part of his home schooling.
Mini- because he does not eat vegetables, per se.
Also, mini- because we're going to have to fence it off to keep the dogs away.
You can see that Ansley is offering her encouragement.
Will keep you posted.

Is it that time again?

Scout time already???? Judson is a Wolf this year. Guess who the Den Leader is? Nope, not me. DADDY. How cool is that?

Happy Tears

Today, my 5 year old daughter read her first pages. She read the first 'chapter' of one of our Dick and Jane books. If you know the challenges she has, you know how exciting this news is.

Play Date!!!!

So today we went to the BIG PARK for a play date with the people in this area who have adopted using the same adoption agency we used for Turner's adoption. Even though it was QUITE hot, it was fun! Many folks showed up. Some adopted from Ethiopia, others from China, US, and Colombia. The kids were all beautiful and happy and wonderful. We loved talking to all the parents too.

Fasion-Nista

It's that time of year again. Every fashion conscious little girl needs to sport her team colors. In this house, we are an equal opportunity team supporter. (As long as it isn't Georgia, Florida, or Alabama)

First Week of School

Well, we all survived the first week of school. Sawyer's stamina seems fine. He's on the bus around 7:45am and arrives home around 4pm. He's full of 'it' when he gets home and does not seem tired at all.

He got his first report card today. He had mostly stars for good behavior. Only a few times was he 'docked' for bad behavior. (Not listening, laying on the floor, and making noises during reading time)

All in all, I would say it was a success. Fingers crossed that the good times continue!

Check this out!

It may not seem like much to you. But this is HUGE!!! Why? Because it is made by my 3 year old. The same 3 year old that could not hold a crayon in a tripod grasp just 1 month ago. The same 3 year old whose previous colorings were so light you could barely see them. He's come a long way, baby!

First Day of School

Always Bittersweet
(for me, not them obviously)

Thursday

Randy took today off. His job: Take Sawyer to see his new school and meet his new teacher. Simple enough, eh? WRONG.

Sawyer's new school is in a cluster with a high school. Apparently, everybody in the 1000+ high school and 800+ elementary school was there. He had a hard time finding a parking place. Finally, he got there and went into the classroom. Cool, right? WRONG.

Apparently, our paperwork for registration was not completed. Not sure what happened. I thought we'd signed and filled out everything. They didn't have it. So, he spent 2 hours filling out paperwork and calling me to ask questions. During this time he had to keep up with Sawyer who was a wild man amongst hundreds of other people. STRESSED.

On the way out, Sawyer commented: "Nice School". (Meaning, I think I can be in charge within the first week)

He starts on Monday!

Then, we took all 4 kids to the local pool. After being quizzed, no, let's say, interrogated about whether my Landsend swimsuit was REALLY a swimsuit, we got in. Funny, how one lady was in there with her bra and slip on and another gentleman was in there with his hiking shorts on but my swimsuit was in question! (I digress) The kids had a blast. We met Alex and Makayla there too. So, LOADS of fun ensued. I got in trouble because I was too far away from Turner (who was in the 2 foot area) within 5 feet of his DAD. I just happened to be after Sawyer who was heading for the 4 foot area. (Again, I digress) After 3 hours of fun and sun, Randy and I were ready to go. It took some convincing to get the other 4 to go but finally, they did. 70 SPF waterproof sunscreen meant that most came back without much sunburn. A few red cheeks was all. Wish I could say, Randy put sunscreen on himself. He has a very red face and head!

It truly was a fun time and not very crowded.

Thus, ends our summer break. It was the best ever, I believe! I truly have enjoyed it.

Last Swim Lesson

OH BOY. The kids showed out today. They did so well. I didn't get very many videos as I was trying to keep Sawyer out of the pool until it was his turn. Hope you have Internet Explorer as I've yet to figure out how to make it work if you have Firefox.

This from a girl who would not get her face wet when we started.



He swam in the deep end also. However, all the videos I had of that were actually of my feet or the sky with me telling Sawyer to get away from the water. So this will have to do.




And Captain Terrific! He almost walks on water. It's so funny. But my whole goal was for him to be able to get to the side if he fell in. He can do that.




And Little T.

Guess Who Came for a Playdate????

What a time these 2 had? Turner will tell EVERYONE, "This is Charlie. He has brown skin like me and he is from 'Oh-piopia' like me". They have the best time. Charlie is a doll. Such a sweet sweet spirit.
I could not get him to look up because he was so interested in the book.

See This Guy

You want to know what he wants to do when he gets bigger? He wants to make medicines to help sick people. The first medicine he wants to make "is a cure for the sickness that killed Gladys". (Gladys is my grandmother) Then he'll move on to other sicknesses. In his spare time, he plans on working on making desserts. (Using chemistry, he will make sure they are not poisonous) Alton Brown and Bobby Flay are his favorite chefs!